[Jason Atwell]

This is a question to everyone across the board, trad, wfp, newbies, oldies,ladies, gentlemen, boys and girls.
If you had to pick the most important bit of advice you could think of,  to pass on to your fellow w/c, what would it be??
And possibly give a reason for this.
for example, dont price low just to get a job, or never compromise on quality, be insured, etc etc 

[EasyClean]

Always do a full risk assessment prior to doing a job! Commonsense really.

[Pat Purcell]

Planning will make a job go faster than rushing

[shammy davis jnr]

dont take it out on your dog with a boot up the arse it may bite you one day   

[pylofm]

Do not undersell your services just to get the job.

[swindon]

thats good advice pylofm, whatever you do dont under price your work and if you can avoid it dont give a quote over the phone, also friendliness is a massive selling point

[colley614]

Always put your trousers on before you go to work. Just kidding, Make sure you get to know as many local window cleaners as possible as I find they tend to pass a lot of work you way if they have a full plate.

[Trevor Knight]

Don't do favours for customers like "could you just give that gutter a quick scoop as you have your ladders up there" or " would you mind just cutting this creeping ivy away from my window while your doing the window".

In my experience, they never pay you anymore than the cost of cleaning your windows and you could end up wasting a lot of valuable time. Tell them you will do it but you will charge for it!

[colley614]

If a customer asks me for a favour I say "Ask you next door neighbour if I can clean her windows" and if I get the job I'll do the favour.

[simon knight]

Avoid houses that have climbing roses and pyracanthus growing up the side (unless you like being torn to shreds).

This probably applies to trad only.

[Tosh]

thats good advice pylofm, whatever you do dont under price your work and if you can avoid it dont give a quote over the phone, also friendliness is a massive selling point

DITTO.  I underpriced when I first started, and still suffer from my original underpricing in some areas.

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

If you have a child or know one take them out collecting with you once in a while.  They'll collect a bit in tips and it reminds your customers that you have to pay bills as well.

Always remember your trousers is good too.

[Paul Coleman]

thats good advice pylofm, whatever you do dont under price your work and if you can avoid it dont give a quote over the phone, also friendliness is a massive selling point

Not wanting to sound contradictory but my advice would be :- Don't get too friendly with the customers.

[AuRavelling79]

Use your savings, or a bank loan or borrow or beg or steal the necessary funds to go wfp.

Lifesaver - in both senses of the word.

[NWH]

I also say go WFP as soon as you can,but it is also good if you have some experience trad way as well.Wfp being a lot quicker enables you to keep on top of your work you wont get K******d at the end of the week,you will actually enjoy going to work especially if you`ve been working trad way for a number of years.

[Pureandclean]

When you go collecting, use a wallet to put your notes in.
If you just stuff the notes into your pocket, it is very easy to lose notes, when you put your hand in your pocket to get some change.
 I have a market traders pouch on my right hip. to keep wallet and note book etc. in
 

Blessings,

Graeme

[TVCS]

Use George or a similar software package to keep you in order. 
Took me a little while to realise life is much easier when 'Old Georgie' sorts your round out for you. 
And, don't rush about trying to keep your hourly rate up, more haste, crappy results as the old saying goes. Speed comes with time. 

[cleantech.co.uk]

learn to say "no" to customers, it can be hard, but it'llsave you from having a run full of crap jobs.

[ac_cleaning]

Always carry plenty of spares (wfp)could cost a days work if not.
al

[pylofm]

Being a newbie I have been prone to clockwatching, even to the point of using a stop watch on my jobs....I have now got rid of that and now do not wear my watch during the day....this has made me a little more chilled about time, time, time , getting to the next job...blah, blah

When you take on a new job, take the extra couple of minutes to think about how to 'walk' the job, route hoses, ladders etc...

Cheers
Dave.